Crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) on ice floe

Female Crabeater seals give birth on an ice
floe around September and suckles the young from a birth weight
of about 20kg (44lb) to 110kg (242lb) at weaning, this takes
around a month. As with other Antarctic seals, the
female comes into oestrous very quickly and an attendant male
will mate with a female, seeing others off. After mating the
male leaves the female and goes to find another receptive female
that he can mate with. Many seals give the impression that they
form cozy family groups as they lay around together. The reality
is usually that it is a mixed group of individuals with no real
bonds other than mothers and their pups. Don't they have some
of the best scenery to look at though?!